Economic Calendar - Currencies

The S&P Global Singapore Purchasing Managers’ Index™ (PMI™) is based on data compiled from monthly replies to questionnaires sent to executives in over 400 private sector companies including manufacturing, services, construction and retail. Survey responses reflect the change, if any, in the current month compared to the previous month based on data collected mid-month. An index reading above 50 indicates an overall increase in private sector activity, below 50 an overall decrease.

In Australia, the Melbourne Institute Monthly Inflation Gauge estimates month-to-month price movements for a wide range of goods and services across the capital cities of Australia. It aims to provide financial markets and policy-makers with regular updates on trends in inflation. The report is based on the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ methodology for calculating the quarterly consumer price index.

In Australia, the Melbourne Institute Monthly Inflation Gauge estimates month-to-month price movements for a wide range of goods and services across the capital cities of Australia. It aims to provide financial markets and policy-makers with regular updates on trends in inflation. The report is based on the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ methodology for calculating the quarterly consumer price index.

In Australia, job advertisements measure the number of jobs advertised in the major daily newspapers and internet sites covering the capital cities.

In China, the Caixin China Composite Output Index tracks business trends across private sector activity, based on data collected from a representative panel of around 400 companies. The index tracks variables such as sales, new orders, employment, inventories and prices. A reading above 50 indicates expansion in business activity and below 50 indicates that it is generally declining.

The Caixin China General Services PMI (Purchasing Managers' Index) is based on data compiled from monthly replies to questionnaires sent to purchasing executives in over 400 private service sector companies. The index tracks variables such as sales, employment, inventories and prices. A reading above 50 indicates that the services sector is generally expanding; below 50 indicates that it is generally declining.

In Singapore, the Retail sales report provides an aggregated measure of sales of retail goods and services over a specific time period. In Singapore, Retail sales are seasonal, volatile and relatively important to the overall economy.

In Singapore, the year-over-year change in Retail sales compares the aggregated sales of retail goods and services during a certain month to the same month a year ago.

In Switzerland, the unemployment rate measures the number of people actively looking for a job as a percentage of the labour force.

Factory Orders in Germany are reported using monthly changes in the volume of new orders received by manufacturers. Factory Order figures in Germany can be very volatile and misleading because they are heavily affected by geopolitical events, temporary shocks in demand and business deals which may only happen once.

In Russia, the Markit Russia Composite Output Index tracks business trends across private sector activity, based on data collected from a representative panel of around 300 companies. The index tracks variables such as sales, new orders, employment, inventories and prices. A reading above 50 indicates expansion in business activity and below 50 indicates that it is generally declining.

The Markit Russia Services PMI is based on data compiled from monthly replies to questionnaires sent to purchasing executives in over 300 private service sector companies. The Index tracks variables such as sales, employment, inventories and prices. An index reading above 50 indicates an overall increase in that variable, below 50 an overall decrease.

In France, Payroll Employment in the Private Sector refers to the number of persons, regardless of work duration, in employment on the last day of the quarter. Employment estimates are in all sectors. Until the third quarter of 2010, data refers only to mainland France. From the fourth quarter of 2010 onwards, employment estimates cover all France (excluding Mayotte).

In France, industrial production measures the output of businesses integrated in industrial sector of the economy. Manufacturing is the most important sector and accounts for 86 percent of total production. The biggest segments within Manufacturing are: Food products and beverages (13 percent of total production); machinery and equipment goods (13 percent), of which computer, electronic and optical products (5 percent); basic metals and fabricated metal products (12 percent); other manufacturing, repair and installation of machinery and equipment (12 percent); transport equipment (10 percent); rubber and plastics products, and other non-metallic mineral products (8 percent); and chemicals and chemical products (6 percent). Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning account for 11 percent of total output, Water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation account for 1 percent and Mining and quarrying account also for 1 percent.

In Switzerland, Foreign Exchange Reserves are the foreign assets held or controlled by the country central bank. The reserves are made of gold or a specific currency. They can also be special drawing rights and marketable securities denominated in foreign currencies like treasury bills, government bonds, corporate bonds and equities and foreign currency loans.

In South Africa, the IHS Markit South Africa Purchasing Managers Index tracks business trends across private sector activity, including mining, manufacturing, services, construction and retail based on data collected from a representative panel of around 400 companies. The index tracks variables such as new orders, output, employment, supplier delivery times, inventories and prices. A reading above 50 indicates expansion in business activity and below 50 indicates that it is generally declining.